The summer stars of Saratoga have their sights set on Belmont Park this fall,
with champions-in-the-making vying in 21 graded stakes beginning Saturday.
Grade 1 Woodward hero To Honor and Serve and runner-up Mucho Macho Man, Grade
1 Forego winner Emcee, Grade 1 Sword Dancer Invitational victor Point of Entry,
Grade 1 Prioress heroine Emma’s Encore, and Grade 1 Personal Ensign winner Love
and Pride, along with It’s Tricky, Shackleford and juvenile stars such as Kauai
Katie, Spurious Precision, and Bern Identity all are likely to be stakes-bound
at Belmont.
In celebration of racing’s return to the greater New York metropolitan area,
The New York Racing Association (NYRA) is offering free grandstand admission all
weekend. Clubhouse admission will be offered at the reduced price of $2 during
opening weekend.
The centerpiece of Belmont’s 37-day meet is Super Saturday, September 29,
highlighted by the Grade 1, $1 million Jockey Club Gold Cup. The 1 1/4-mile race
is supported by four additional Grade 1 events: the $600,000 Joe Hirsch Turf
Classic Invitational, the $600,000 Flower Bowl for fillies and mares on the
turf, the $400,000 Beldame for fillies and mares, and the $400,000 Vosburgh for
sprinters, along with the Grade 2, $400,000 Kelso Handicap at a mile on the main
track.
All the Super Saturday graded stakes races are Breeders’ Cup Challenge “Win
and You’re In” races, which means the winners earn automatic entry into the
corresponding Breeders’ Cup races, to be held at Santa Anita on November 2-3.
The following weekend offers up-and-coming juveniles four more “Win and
You’re In” races for the Breeders’ Cup. On October 6, two-year-olds compete in
the Grade 1, $400,000 Champagne and the Grade 1, $400,000 Frizette for juvenile
fillies, and on October 7, in the Grade 3, $150,000 Pilgrim and the Grade 3,
$150,000 Miss Grillo for fillies, both on the turf.
Also on October 6 is the Grade 1, $400,000 Jamaica for three-year-olds on the
turf.
New York-breds get their chance to shine on New York Showcase Day, October
20, with seven stakes for the top horses bred in the Empire State, capped by the
$250,000 Empire Classic.
The opening day feature at Belmont is the Grade 2, $200,000
Bowling
Green Handicap for older turf horses Traditionally run over 1 3/8 miles, the
race was reduced in distance to 1 1/4 miles this year.
There are five in the main body of the Bowling Green field, including major
2011 winners Brilliant Speed and Air Support, who are both seeking their first
stakes wins this year. They are joined by Grade 2 Pan American winner Newsdad,
Uruguayan star Brujo de Olleros, and Saratoga allowance winner Bombaguia.
Entered for the main track only is Redeemed, whose last two victories were in
the Grade 3 Greenwood Cup and Grade 2 Brooklyn Handicap.
Five older sprinters will line up Saturday in the $80,000
Affiliate
over six furlongs. Sean Avery returns to the races for the first time in 13
months, his last start being an upset score in the Grade 1 Alfred G. Vanderbilt
Handicap at Saratoga. Multiple stakes winner Royal Currier and Grade 3-placed
Crossbow are the main threats.
On weekends during the month of September, fans can get a behind-the-scenes
look at the world of Thoroughbred racing with the popular “Breakfast at Belmont
Park” program from 7 to 9:30 a.m (EDT). Admission and activities, including
guided tram tours of Belmont’s remarkable stable area, trackside commentary of
live morning workouts, starting gate demonstrations and paddock show, are free
and breakfast is available for purchase.
The Pick the Pros and Ponies contest returns this fall beginning Sunday. Fans
can enjoy the races at Belmont Park, and catch all the Sunday football action.
For the weekly contest, entrants must select the winners of four designated
football games, plus races 3 and 5, to win $1,000.
With live racing generally conducted Wednesdays through Sundays, and a first
race post time of 1 p.m., grandstand admission is $3 after opening weekend.
Clubhouse admission is $5, while children 12 and under are admitted free when
accompanied by an adult. General parking is free, with preferred parking $2 and
valet parking $5.
Racing excitement doesn’t stop for dark days, with simulcast and wagering
action available seven days a week at the Belmont Café and at Aqueduct simulcast
areas. On Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, the simulcast areas are open from 11:30
a.m. to approximately 7:30 p.m., on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays from 11:30
a.m. to approximately 11 p.m. and on Sundays from 11:30 a.m. until approximately
7:30 p.m.
For information on the Belmont Park fall meet, please visit
nyra.com or call (516)
488-6000.